The Adventure Part Four

Well as our trip comes to a close I am left changed and with many different thoughts and questions to think about. This trip allowed a wonderful balance of learning both hands on and textually. Through seeing what is and has been seen by many great writers and thinkers, I have been inspired to reexamine my own thoughts and ideas. I am very sad to leave, as I love seeing the splendor of the Alps every morning and evening. Though home is a wonderful thing to have, I have found that traveling is a wonderful home and I am very comfortable doing so. Two things have struck me most deeply throughout this trip. The first thing that strikes me is how people are inspired to write great works, be it literature, music, or poetry. In classes I am given advice on how to find inspiration for my writing. "Read other authors great works", "Read the classics", "Listen to great music", "Read wonderful poetry", "Attend poetry readings", etc. All of these are wonderful ideas to find inspiration for writing, however I am curious as to where original inspiration comes from. If I am constantly seeking inspiration through other individuals thoughts and ideas can any of mine truly be original. To be completely honest, I have had the worst writers block of my life for months. I am capable of writing, however, what I do write is just bad writing. I realized one reason is that when I try to write I first seek other writings or songs for inspiration and then my own thoughts are clouded by the thoughts of others. This has all dawned on me through this trip and by looking at the Alps I think of Byron and his inspiration coming from things that don't include words, such as emotion, religion, and nature. THAT is inspiring to me.
The second thing that struck me (and this is no surprise) is the awesomeness of the nature with which I have been surrounded for three weeks. I traditionally try to appreciate nature around me, be it a sunset in Bowling Green Kentucky or a starry night in the countryside of Indiana, I usually try not to take my surroundings for granted especially the sky. But here, it is just so amazing. So beautifully created and mapped out by God alone. Truly a work of art. While spending the day in a hot spring looking up and being surrounded by some of the most majestic mountains known to man... I was in awe of God's work. And so utterly thankful for it.
If God created the Earth so amazingly, imagine how he created us. Our individual selves are so awesome and amazing... our souls are metaphorically like the Alps in greatness. The amount of beauty put into the Alps shows God's work, imagine the work that could be in us.
I guess what I am trying to say is my list of "counting my blessings" has grown quite rapidly in these past three weeks.

I have of course been thinking about several of our discussions on evil and danger in nature and man-- some of those thoughts can be seen in my previous posts. I would like to take my last moments here to appreciate the beauty and good rather than dwell and contemplate the bad of the Alps.

Godspeed to Switzerland, until we meet again!

GOD BLESS!